Long story short...the story of the Tower of Babel reminds us that pride is a problem. In Genesis 11, we see man's potential and man's failure. With a common speech and the same language, men and women had virtually unlimited potential. They could create. They could build and that is exactly what they did. The had a grand vision to build a city that would unite them. They also wanted to build a tower that reached to the heavens. Creating and building isn't a problem in an of itself. The problem comes with why they wanted to do this. Read it for yourself in Genesis 11:4: "4 Then they said, 'Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.'" Did you catch the problem?
They wanted to build a great city with a tall tower so that could make a name for themselves.
As we keep reading, in Genesis 11, we see that pride is a problem that God doesn't look past. He came down, heard their plans and came up with a plan of His own. He would confuse the people and scatter them across the whole earth. Ironically, the very thing that they hoped to avoid was the result of their pride.
That's the problem with pride. It never produces the life or the reputation that we desire. Throughout Scripture, we learn that God opposes the proud but He gives grace to the humble. Our job is to position ourselves so that God can lift us up. That's why we must take action to intentionally humble ourselves.
That's the problem with pride. It never produces the life or the reputation that we desire. Throughout Scripture, we learn that God opposes the proud but He gives grace to the humble. Our job is to position ourselves so that God can lift us up. That's why we must take action to intentionally humble ourselves.
How can we intentionally humble ourselves?
Avoid the Comparison Trap
Comparing yourself to others leads to pride or it leads to shame. That's why God commands us to test our own actions not compare ourselves to others. We each have a "load" to carry and a purpose to live out. Live the life that God has given you and stay clear of the comparison trap.
4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. Galatians 6:4-5
Bless Others First
An others first attitude is key to intentional humility. Jesus modeled this type of living and said what we would be blessed if we did the same. An others first attitude breaks the grip of entitlement on our lives and helps us look more and more like Jesus.
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4
Check Your Boasting
Pride often times produces boasting. So if you are going to intentionally humble yourself, you are going to need to check your words. It's 100% okay for you to be proud of things in your life. It is 100% not okay to be prideful because of your accomplishments, abilities, or possessions. Pride produces boasting. Humility builds a life that boasts about God and who He is.
17 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. 2 Corinthians 10:17-18
Comparing yourself to others leads to pride or it leads to shame. That's why God commands us to test our own actions not compare ourselves to others. We each have a "load" to carry and a purpose to live out. Live the life that God has given you and stay clear of the comparison trap.
4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. Galatians 6:4-5
Bless Others First
An others first attitude is key to intentional humility. Jesus modeled this type of living and said what we would be blessed if we did the same. An others first attitude breaks the grip of entitlement on our lives and helps us look more and more like Jesus.
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4
Check Your Boasting
Pride often times produces boasting. So if you are going to intentionally humble yourself, you are going to need to check your words. It's 100% okay for you to be proud of things in your life. It is 100% not okay to be prideful because of your accomplishments, abilities, or possessions. Pride produces boasting. Humility builds a life that boasts about God and who He is.
17 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. 2 Corinthians 10:17-18
Posted in Growth Resources